Laserfacial – Pigmented Lesions, Spider Veins, Rosacea, Scars, Warts

The Laserfacial is the newest and most-requested technique performed by laser. It is a series of treatments with our Candela and V-beam Perfecta that dramatically erase:

• Broken Capillaries
• Red Acne Scars
• Rosacea
• Port Wine Stains
• Poikiloderma and other Conditions
• Post-Treatment Care

You can have full face, neck, chest and/or hand treatments. The Laserfacial™ is quick, safe, and effective with no downtime. You can resume normal activities immediately.

How does the treatment work?

The laser is applied in a series of pulses over the treatment area. Without damaging the skin, the laser beam penetrates through the skin and is absorbed by the abnormally dilated vessels or pigmentation. The heat causes damage to the vessel or lesion, and the body begins its natural healing process. The lesion will darken before it flakes off or the body absorbs it. Treatment can be given as frequently as every three weeks.

How many treatments will I need?

For optimal results, a series of five treatments are recommended. Follow-up treatments may be desired once a year to maintain results.

What is a treatment like?

Treatments may vary from 15 to 45 minutes depending on the size of the area to be treated. First, the treated area is cleansed, when the laser is delivered, the sensation is similar to a snap of a rubber band. After treatment a sunscreen is applied. Pain is minimal. For sensitive skin, a cool compress is applied following treatment.

Are there any possible side effects?

Side effects are rare. Immediately following treatment, the skin may appear flushed; brown pigmented spots may appear darker; and capillaries may be more visible. Temporary swelling and/or bruising can occur.

What improvement will I see?

Patients have a high degree of satisfaction with their results. Expect to see a gradual decrease in redness, broken capillaries, flushing, irregular pigmentation, pore size, and fine lines. After each treatment, the skin will feel smoother and appear to have a more even tone.

Consumer Alert: Many spa-type facilities are advertising and utilizing underpowered light devices that have no effect at all.

 

Vascular Conditions Treated by Vbeam

Broken Capillaries

Telengectasias or facial and nasal spider veins are typically a result of sun exposure. These tiny broken veins in the face cause a persistent flushed looked and have the visual effect of “aging” the face. They are worsened by heat, alcohol, tobacco and sun. Skin that is prone to these broken vessels should be treated gently and cared for with mild products. Sunscreens and hats will afford a level of protection that will help maintain your cleared skin during and after treatment.

 Leg Spider Veins

Age, pregnancy, and heredity play a large part in the development of varicose and spider veins. Varicose veins are better treated by sclerotherapy while small red and purple spider veins are easily and comfortably treated by vascular lasers like Vbeam.

The American Academy of Dermatology believes that the new laser technology for treating spider veins is more effective with fewer side effects than sclerotherapy or electrodessication for the same size vessels . Laser surgery is more comfortable for patients because there are no needles or incisions. When the laser hits the skin, the patient only feels a small pinch, and the skin is soothed by cooling both before and after the laser is applied.

 

Red Acne Scars

The “red” left behind in acne scars is a result of tiny broken capillaries at the site of the healed acne lesion. This redness is more common to “newer” acne scars and is hard to conceal, making the evidence of acne more pronounced, even after it has healed. Lasers which target these broken capillaries cause the small vessels to coagulate and be reabsorbed by the body. This effectively removes the redness.

V-Beam (Pulsed Dye Laser) is commonly used for the treatment of red acne scars, stretch marks and keloids, which are thickened scar tissue. The V-Beam laser usually requires three to five treatments. Because the VBeam uses a cooling and deep heating process to target is the broken vessel, the treatment is well-tolerated and protects the outer surface of the skin.

A combination of V-Beam and Smoothbeam lasers is commonly used during the same session to improve acne scars. There is no down-time for either Smoothbeam or Vbeam laser treatments. Procedures are nearly painless…the laser pulse feels somewhat similar to the light “snap” of a rubber band. Smoothbeam Link

The two sets of photos below show results of Vbeam and Smoothbeam combination laser treatments for acne and acne scars.  Vbeam removes the redness and Smoothbeam triggers the body to build up collagen, filling in the depressions left by acne scars and smoothing the skin.

 

Vbeam and Smoothbeam combination laser treatments

  

Rosacea

Rosacea (pronounced “roh-ZAY-sha”) is a chronic and potentially life-disruptive disorder primarily of the facial skin, often characterized by flare-ups and remissions. Many have observed that it typically begins any time after age 30 as a redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go. In some cases, rosacea may also occur on the neck, chest, scalp or ears. Over time, the redness becomes ruddier and more persistent, and visible blood vessels may appear. Left untreated, bumps and pimples often develop, and in severe cases the nose may grow swollen and bumpy from excess tissue.

 

While there is no cure for rosacea and the cause is unknown, medical therapy is available to control or reverse its signs and symptoms.Vascular lasers such as Vbeam have proved to substantially reduce and often eliminate the redness and flushing of rosacea that is so problematic.

 

Photo Source: Candela Laser

 

Port Wine Stains
TePort wine stains are present at birth Pulsed-dye lasers offer safe and effective treatment for port-wine stains. Treatment success depends on the age at which it is begun and the location of the lesion. With multiple treatments, most port-wine stains can be significantly lightened.

Because Port Wine Stains can be progressive, treatment should be done early to prevent cobbling of the skin and thickening and darkening of the stain.

 
Photo Source: Candela Laser

 

Other Conditions treated by the Vbeam Laser

• Warts – small benign growths in the skin that usually appear on hands and feet.
• Scars (Red) – raised or puffy scars that are often caused by surgery, trauma, acne or burns.
• Stretch Marks (Red) – Frequently appearing after pregnancy over the stomach, thighs, buttocks, breasts, shoulders and lower back.
• Poikiloderma – Redness and discoloration on the neck.

 

What precaution should be taken before and after treatment?

Avoid exposure to the sun and tanning of the areas that are to be treated throughout the course of treatment. Immediately following the treatment, the area may be slightly swollen, sensitive and may feel warm.

Post-treatment care?

• Avoid sun exposure or tanning
• Apply ice for discomfort
• Apply moisturizer or topical antibiotic cream if needed
• Avoid scrubbing or rinsing the area with abrasive skin cleansers the first few days following treatment.

Possible side effects

Avoid Patients may experience some temporary discoloration or reddening of the skin around the treatment site. Pigmentary changes in skin color may be experienced by some patients. The skin will typically return to normal pigmentation over time.

During your office consultation you will be provided with a detailed plan of the treatments that will benefit you most. Please Contact Us for a consultation appointment or with any questions you may have.